Northern Spain
Northern Spain
$3150
Northern Spain
11 Days Starting in Barcelona, Spain and ending in Madrid, Spain
Visiting: Barcelona, Pamplona, San Sebastián, Santander, Oviedo, Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca, Madrid
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SNORZM19
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 54
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, History, Religion and Spiritual
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Northern Spain, starting in vibrant Barcelona and concluding in the bustling capital, Madrid. This cultural exploration offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from the architectural wonders of Gaudí in Barcelona to the historic charm of Santiago de Compostela. Discover the culinary delights of San Sebastián, the artistic allure of Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum, and the serene beauty of the Picos de Europa. Enjoy a unique Be My Guest lunch with the Castañón family at their cider mill near Oviedo. With guided tours in Salamanca and Madrid, including a visit to the renowned Prado Museum, this tour promises a blend of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Travel in comfort aboard a luxury air-conditioned coach, stay in cherry-picked hotels, and savor daily breakfasts and select dinners, all while being guided by an expert Travel Director.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation: Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia
Accommodation Name: Abba Sants Barcelona Hotel
Trace the treasures of the north on this grand expedition from Barcelona to Madrid, easing yourself into la buena vida as only the Spaniards can. Take the day to delve into centuries of history and the cosmopolitan culture of Barcelona, rambling up Las Ramblas, people-watching in Plaça de Catalunya and admiring the whimsical architecture of Gaudí. This evening, you’ll meet with your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Make Travel Matter® Welcome Reception at Mescladis, followed by an evening drive to see the city's iconic sights.
Day 2: Discover Vibrant Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation: Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia
Accommodation Name: Abba Sants Barcelona Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join our Local Specialist today as we take in the Gaudi architecture of Passeig De Gracia before admiring the exterior of his unfinished La Sagrada Familia. Later, we pay tribute to Christopher Columbus as we pass the seaside monument that bears his name. Spend the rest of the day on your own to explore the city’s enchanting barrios. Consider joining an Optional Experience to the mountain-top monastery of Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna - affectionately known in Catalonia as La Moreneta.
Day 3: Journey To Pamplona
Location: Pamplona
Accommodation: Tres Reyes
Accommodation Name: Tres Reyes Pamplona
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The feisty former capital of Navarre takes centre stage. We follow in the footsteps of thousands of exhilarated runners and hot-blooded bulls today. See Pamplona's ancient city walls and Plaza del Castillo, the heart of the city where markets, tournaments and even bullfighting have taken place.
Day 4: Off To Culinary San Sebastián And On To Santander
Location: San Sebastián
Accommodation: Santemar
Accommodation Name: Santemar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we journey to the sophisticated culinary capital of San Sebastián. See the beautiful Bahía de la Concha beach or stroll along la calle 31 de Agosto in the Old Town. Our next stop is Bilbao to view the modern Guggenheim Museum, designed by talented architect Frank Gehry. We arrive in Santander later this afternoon for a two-night stay.
Day 5: Sophisticated Santander Your Way
Location: Santander
Accommodation: Santemar
Accommodation Name: Santemar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the day at leisure in elegant Santander. Relax on the sun-kissed shores of one of the nearby beaches, amble through the charming Old Town or perhaps join an Optional Experience to the coastal town of Comillas, with its cobbled streets. Here you will explore Gaudí's El Capricho, built in the late 19th century as a summer villa, then carry on to Santillana del Mar to visit the museum dedicated to the impressive UNESCO-listed Altamira Caves.
Day 6: Scenic Landscapes, Quaint Towns And Oviedo Connect With Locals
Location: Oviedo
Accommodation: Exe Oviedo Centro
Accommodation Name: Exe Oviedo Centro
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Spectacular scenery awaits today as you travel through the dramatic Picos de Europa which sits between two main pilgrim routes where you will encounter several quaint historic market towns. Visit the grotto of 'Our Lady of Covadonga', a famous Marian pilgrimage site, and the pink-hued basilica made from the marble of the surrounding hills. Later we'll Connect With Locals and enjoy a traditional lunch and cider tasting at our Be My Guest experience with the Castañón family at their Cider Mill. This evening is free for you to explore Oviedo at leisure.
Day 7: Pilgrimage To Santiago De Compostela
Location: Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation: Santiago Plaza by Melia
Accommodation Name: Santiago Plaza by Melia
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Asturian fishing village of Luarca is our first stop today. Soak up its seafaring atmosphere en route to the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela, renowned as the end of the 'camino' pilgrimage route that has its origins dating as far back as the 9th century.
Day 8: Explore Santiago De Compostela
Location: Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation: Santiago Plaza by Melia
Accommodation Name: Santiago Plaza by Melia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist who will share insights into the 'Way of Saint James' and explain why thousands of people attempt the life-changing pilgrimage annually. Visit the vast Cathedral, reputed to be the final resting place of Saint James the Great, and the Plaza do Obradoiro, a square dominated by four architectural styles. Consider an Optional Experience to the Rías Baixas for soul-stirring views of the Galician coast. The region has long waterways stretching inland that are said to be the mark left by God's hand when he cleansed himself after creating the world.
Day 9: Onwards To Artistic Zamora And Salamanca
Location: Salamanca
Accommodation: Gran Corona Sol
Accommodation Name: Gran Corona Sol
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey through the lush Galician landscape and Castile-Leon to Zamora, a veritable open-air museum of Romanesque art. We continue to Salamanca – its golden-hued façades providing an air of mystery and majesty. We join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour including views of Spain's oldest university and the Cathedral, as well as a walk through the imposing Plaza Mayor, built in the Spanish Baroque style.
Day 10: Venture To Stylish Madrid Dive Into Culture
Location: Madrid
Accommodation: AC by Marriott Cuzco
Accommodation Name: Rafael Atocha
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travelling east, we arrive in the fiery Spanish capital, Madrid, for an afternoon of sightseeing with a Local Specialist. Dive Into Culture and visit the Prado Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of European art in the world. Then, see the Royal Palace, Gran Vía and the neoclassical Cibeles Fountain that has become an iconic symbol for the city of Madrid. Tonight, join your Travel Director and fellow companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner with wine, toasting to a magnificent journey through northern Spain.
Day 11: Adiós Madrid
Location: Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast
For now, it's a fond hasta luego to your newfound friends as our Spanish adventure comes to an end.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included in the tour.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, is included.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included in the tour.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Daily breakfast and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are part of the tour.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing are provided.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Optional Experiences and free time
Optional experiences and free time are included in the itinerary.
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On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
What's Not Included
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Airfare
International airfare to/from the start/end of your tour is not included.
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Visas
Costs associated with obtaining visas or passports are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with a luxury air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi in most countries, or enjoy alternative transportation options such as rail journeys.
Accommodation
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, provide comfortable stays throughout the tour, ensuring a relaxing experience after each day's exploration.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, breakfast is provided daily and up to half of your evening meals are included in the tour package.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
The tour includes cherry-picked hotels that are all tried and trusted.
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Is there a local guide available during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes an expert Travel Director and professional Driver, as well as Local Specialists for certain locations.
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What is the starting point of the tour?
The tour starts in Barcelona.
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Where does the tour end?
The tour ends in Madrid.
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Is there any free time during the tour?
Yes, there are optional experiences and free time included in the itinerary, such as leisure time in Santander and Santiago de Compostela.
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Are there any cultural experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes cultural experiences such as a visit to the Prado Museum in Madrid and a traditional lunch and cider tasting with the Castañón family at their Cider Mill near Oviedo.
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What is the policy on gratuities and tips during the tour?
All porterage and restaurant gratuities, as well as hotel tips, charges, and local taxes, are included in the tour package.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions